Which insect is known to create "shot" holes in hardwoods and leaves very fine frass?

The Lyctidae Powder Post Beetle is known for its characteristic behavior of creating "shot" holes in hardwoods. These small, round holes result from the beetles boring into the wood to lay their eggs. As the larvae hatch and develop, they continue to tunnel through the wood, resulting in fine frass, which is the powdery waste they produce.

This pest specifically targets hardwoods, making it particularly damaging to furniture and flooring made from such materials. The fine frass is an indication of the beetles’ presence and activity, further differentiating them from other wood-boring insects.

In contrast, carpenter ants do not produce frass but rather create sawdust-like residues from their nesting activities. Ambrosia beetles also cause damage to wood but typically introduce fungal spores to their tunnels, and their frass can be more substantial and fibrous rather than fine. Drywood termites may create tunnels in wood and leave behind frass, but the appearance and texture differ from that created by powder post beetles, which is much finer and resembles sawdust.